Michael Burgess, who performed the role of Jean Valjean in more than 1,000 Toronto stage performances of Les Misérables, passed away Sept. 28 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Burgess was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 1945. He appeared in "H.M.S Pinafore," "E.N.G." and "Bordertown," as well as other Canadian television programs and movies.

Burgess was also the first to sing the Canadian anthem "O Canada" at a World Series Game, in Atlanta in 1992.

In a statement, theatre producer David Mirvish said, "He was a very talented performer with a spellbinding voice and a truly arresting stage presence. Canada has lost one of its major artists. He will be sorely missed."